Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[655] as I consider him equal to any officer in the service. Brigadier-General Duncan, and perhaps others exchanged, will soon be with us, when you shall be attended to.

I am, General,

Most respectfully and truly yours,

General: We move from here immediately — later, by some days, than expected, but in time, we hope, for a successful campaign. Buell has certainly fallen back from the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and will probably not make a stand this side of Nashville, if there. He is now fortifying at that place.

General E. K. Smith, reinforced by two brigades from this army, has turned Cumberland Gap, and is now marching on Lexington, Kentucky. General Morgan (Yankey) is thus cut off from all supplies. General Humphrey Marshall is to enter Eastern Kentucky from Western Virginia. We shall thus have Buell pretty well disposed of.

Sherman and Rosecrans we leave to you and Price, satisfied you can dispose of them, and we confidently hope to meet you upon the Ohio.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

Just finished whipping the enemy in from off Bolivar. Ran in town. I believe they will leave the country. West Tennessee is almost free of the invaders. All needed is an advance of the infantry. They estimate their force at ten thousand. I believe they have only about six thousand. Captain Pryor will give you the details. I send seventy-one prisoners to General Villepigue--four commanding officers. There are strong works in the rear of Bolivar, and I did not enter the town, as it would only have caused them to shell it, without giving me any advantage.

You will hear from us again in a day or two.

General : I received, last night, a despatch of which the following is a copy:

Liquatchie Valley, August 29.
To General Sterling Price:

Buell's force is in full retreat upon Nashville, destroying their stores. Watch Rosecrans and prevent a junction; or if he escapes you follow him closely.

Braxton Bragg.

1 feel that this order requires me to advance immediately, and I shall have my whole command ready to move in three days. That portion of my cavalry which did not accompany General Armstrong, has been ordered forward to Booneville, and General Little is moving his division to Guntown and Baldwin. I hope that nothing will prevent you from coming forward without delay, with all your disposable troops. Be pleased to telegraph your determination in such way, however, that it will not be understood by others, and to write to me fully by my Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant Wood, who will land this to you.

I enclose for your information copies of a letter from General Bragg, dated August twenty-seventh, and of a despatch from General Armstrong, announcing the result of an engagement in front of Bolivar.

I am, General, with the greatest respect,

Your obedient servant,

General: One of your staff officers, Colonel Lomax, having requested me to do so, I state, for your information, that I can put in the field thirteen thousand infantry, three thousand cavalry, and eight hundred artillery, effective total; that they are supplied with transportation and ammunition, as prescribed in General Bragg's last general orders; that subsistence has been provided to the first day of October; that the commissary trains will transport seven days provisions, and that I will have arms for all my troops, including those exchanged prisoners that General Bragg has been ordered to be sent to me.

I am, General, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: I have received your reply to my letter of the second instant, and regret very